The "House Full" signs at the Shepherd's Bush Empire were out, the touts were busy, hmmm....haven't seen this for some time - the long wait in the queue was amply rewarded with some great music from three bands playing tonight - "The Ocean", "Cynic" and headlining "Opeth". The two support bands I was unfamiliar with, though had a warm greeting from the crowd; "The Ocean" - three guitarists gyrating with the music like demented six-year-olds, growling lyrics, thundering drums - a bit too dark for me but the band that followed "Cynic" I enjoyed a lot and sounded more melodic to my ears.

 

Opeth, as I expected, delivered a very loud and polished performance - those twin bass drums could knock you out of your seat! They played a few songs from their new album "Watershed", and from earlier albums "Still Life" and "My Arms...".  The huge screen at the back showed little more than the camera wandering through a forest, but it all fell together very well - frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt very relaxed and good-humoured with the crowd, who said London audiences were difficult...?  ...though I noticed a very mixed crowd, some appeared to be blonde Scandinavian followers?

 

The band came back on for a brilliant rendition of "Drapery Falls" (which I had been eagerly anticipating.... obviously) before departing amid the lights and smoke....sure to return somewhere bigger and more expensive next time.....this band are big, and getting bigger!

 

 

 

 

 

 

....same bloke...? 

 

 

 

Great review BTW.